The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come under criticism from several Associate nation captains after approving a revamped format for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with many arguing that the new structure makes it more difficult for emerging teams to compete on cricket's biggest stage.
The revised format, approved at the ICC Annual Conference, will retain a 14-team tournament but introduce a new "Super Series" involving the three lowest-ranked qualified teams. Only one of those teams will progress to the main tournament, effectively creating an additional qualification hurdle.
The decision has drawn criticism from Netherlands captain Scott Edwards, Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus, and Scotland captain Richie Berrington, all of whom questioned whether the changes align with the ICC's stated objective of expanding the game globally.
Associate nations question reduced opportunities
Associate teams have consistently advocated for greater representation at ICC events, particularly after countries such as Scotland, Namibia and the Netherlands produced memorable performances against Full Member nations in recent years. However, the latest restructuring has raised concerns that opportunities at the highest level are becoming more limited.
Scott Edwards described the decision as "incredibly disappointing", arguing that Associate nations had spent years developing competitive ODI programmes only to see their pathway become more difficult.
"Qualifying for an ODI World Cup is a huge achievement for any country, so when the reality of that opportunity changes after years of planning, it's incredibly disappointing," Edwards said.
"The ICC talks a lot about growing the game globally, but decisions like this make it harder for Associate nations to play against the best teams in the world."
He added that competing against elite teams is vital not only for improving standards but also for inspiring future generations of cricketers. According to Edwards, cricket should be creating "more opportunities on the global stage, not less."
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus echoed those concerns, saying that ODI cricket represents the pinnacle format for many Associate players. He argued that teams which earn qualification should not face an additional barrier before reaching the main tournament.
"For us, the 50-over World Cup is our long form," Erasmus said, emphasising the importance of direct access to the competition.
Scotland skipper Richie Berrington focused on the decision-making process, calling for greater consultation with players before implementing significant changes to global tournaments.
"Players don't expect to make every decision, but we should be meaningfully consulted on decisions that have significant impacts on the game and on players' careers," Berrington said.
"Better decisions are made when different perspectives are brought to the table, and we're urging the game to start doing that properly."
The criticism has also been supported by the World Cricketers' Association, which questioned the transparency of the decision. The organisation argued that reducing opportunities for Associate nations contradicts cricket's ambition of global expansion and overlooks the years of investment countries have made in qualifying for major tournaments.
How the new format works
The 2027 ODI World Cup, to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, will feature a three-stage competition.
Although 14 teams will qualify for the tournament, the three lowest-ranked qualified teams will first compete in a Super Series, with only one team advancing to the main event.
The remaining teams will then participate in the group stage, where they will be divided into two groups and play every other team within their pool. The top teams from each group will advance to the newly introduced Super 7 stage, where additional matches will determine the four semi-finalists. The tournament will conclude with the semi-finals and final, with a total of 57 matches scheduled.
For Associate nations, however, the primary concern extends beyond the format itself. Many fear that the additional qualification stage will further restrict exposure, reduce financial opportunities and limit valuable experience against the world's strongest teams.
Captains such as Edwards, Erasmus and Berrington argue that if cricket is serious about expanding globally, it should be creating more opportunities for emerging nations rather than introducing new barriers to participation.
